The veteran leader, who has been in power since 1980, released 90 balloons into the air at a stadium east of the capital Harare.

 

He turned 90 on Friday but was in Singapore for eye surgery at the time.

 

Many schoolchildren were among the crowd, waving flags and chanting Mr Mugabe's clan² name.

 

Huge cakes were on display in the centre of the stadium in Marondera, about 80km (50 miles) from Harare, while the crowd wore red scarves, as is traditional on the president's birthday.

 

In an hour-long speech he said Zimbabweans did not hate former colonial masters the British, but loved their own country more.

 

He also condemned³ homosexuals for performing what he called "unnatural⁴ acts".

 

The cost of the celebration - estimated at about $1m - has prompted criticism in a country suffering from severe economic problems.

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